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Cyclists promote Climate Diplomacy Week

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - More than 500 cyclists from both Lao and international organisations gathered on Saturday morning for a cycling event to mark Climate Diplomacy Week in the capital.

Held with an aim to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change and advocate for the strongest possible initiatives and actions to mitigate these impacts, the cycling event was organised by European Union (EU) Delegation to Laos with joint support coming from the EU Member States and Lao Cycling Association.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Bounkham Vorachit, EU Ambassador Leo Faber, government officials, diplomats as well as Lao and foreign citizens, showing their support for the initiative and to express their readiness for action against climate change.

The event is one of many activities that EU and the Member States held throughout Laos and elsewhere to mark the week from 12th-17th June.

The cycling course extended from Setthathilath to That Luang esplanade before finishing at to the Mekong riverside Chao Anouvong Park, a distance of about 10km.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Faber said there was “no room for complacency”.

“We must now take all the strongest possible actions against climate change for a safer and cleaner world for future generations’.

2017 is the third year for the EU Delegation along with its member states to mark Climate Diplomacy Week in Laos.

The week is part of the campaign to promote informative debates about action on climate change and the adoption of the Paris Agreement that has been ratified, as of today, by 147 countries including Laos.

‘The EU and its member states are playing an active role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement worldwide,” Faber said.

“In Laos, the EU has provided over 8 million Euros for climate change initiatives and will continue to provide substantial funding to support Laos to ensure the completion of the legislative and regulatory package for the country to honour its commitments under the Paris Agreement,” Faber said.